We specialise in needlecrafts, patchwork, quilting, cross stitch, tapestry, felting and so much more. As we attend different events, launch new products, learn new techniques and who knows what else might takes our fancy, we will share our adventures with you.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

What are you making for Christmas? I started my projects a few weeks ago. Once I found some suitable Christmas fabrics, some Christmas ornaments and sewing presents for my friends and then I had to make some cards to go with the hand made presents.

Hexagons cut ready to be sewn into Christmas gifts.

Cards are nearly finished just need to be sealed in and a few Merry Christmas stickers from Blue Edge Crafts.

A close up so you can see where I stitched using a multi coloured metallic thread.

These are easy to make and there is still some of this fabric (Christmas Ornaments) available in our web shop www.cynthiasark.com.au

What else to make? I would love to make a tree skirt for a full size tree but with our cats it would be a recipe for disaster. I can see them climbing the tree and knock it over, breaking the ornaments or using them for cat toys. I think that would be too stressful to handle. I do have a ceramic tree with lights that I made so that might be the way to go and make a mini tree skirt.
I love to bake so I'm thinking of having a go at making gingerbread trees and stars with icing for a change as I normally do a cake of some sort. This way I can make them a few days in advance instead of the night before Christmas. I hope they will last til Christmas day.
Who knows what else might take my fancy? We still have a few weeks to go to Christmas so there is time to come up with some more interesting projects.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

This week we have received two new Riley Blake Fabric ranges. First there is Twice as Nice by The Quilted Fish.

The second one is Snips & Snails Collection by Doodlebug Designs.

Two totally different ranges but both gorgeous fabric ranges. You can purchase these fabrics at www.cynthiasark.com.au at $21.00 a metre. Minimum cut is 20cm. For our new customers the fabric on the web shop is in 10cm increments and priced that way. So if you want 40cm you put in 4 in the quantity box and you will receive a 40cm piece of fabric.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

On Saturday 23rd November we were trading at the Barossa Craft Fair & Market in Tanunda. This is a yearly event in November. The event is organised by the Barossa Outside School Hours Care Services Inc. The weather was cool with a few showers. A nice change from last years heat. We had a good day trading. It is always good to catch up with some of our online customers in person and meet new ones. Here are some photos I took. The lighting isn't very good in the hall so the pictures aren't the best.

That was our last event for this year, but visit www.cynthiasark.com.au and check out our event listing for future events. I know there is already 3 events in the pipeline for us next year.

Monday, November 18, 2013

After receiving the last shipment of batik fabrics I was inspired to create something new. I have created the pattern and picked my fabrics and although I haven't used any of the new fabrics in my newest creation, I have been able to included a batik mystery sampler pack.

These are the fabrics I have picked. Two contrasting fabrics and a Batik Mystery Sampler pack(4 inch squares).

I will share more pictures when I start sewing.

Sunday started out early, I took the morning off. My husband and I took the boat up to Blanchetown and we went for a cruise up the River Murray to road test the repairs he had done. It was a beautiful morning for boating and being out on the water. On our return to Blanchetown we stopped long enough for a bite to eat before heading home.

So after lunch it was time to start preparation for the Barossa Craft Fair and Market. I needed to sort the fabric boxes out, tidy them up and restock them with all the new fabrics as we have not done a fair since the June long weekend. Then stock needs to be packed ready for Friday for loading. There is always so much to do before a fair.

A couple of the fabric boxes are ready to go, but there is still 3 more to finish. Fabric is cut, it just needs to be folded and packed. Barossa Craft Fair & Market is on Saturday 23rd November 9.30am-3.30pm at the Tanunda Show Hall, Tanunda. The fair has over 50 stalls, Card/Scrapbook workshops, belly dancing demonstrations, light lunches, Devonshire teas and more. It is a great place to get some of your Christmas shopping done and treat yourself to a day out.

Until next time keep stitching

Cynthia

PS I only have 45 more 6 inch batik log cabin blocks to go before I can start sewing the quilt top together.﻿

Friday, November 8, 2013

This week I have been out attending a couple of events. The first was the 21st Adelaide Knife Show. Yes a knife show. A friend of our was trading there for the first time so we went to show our support in the craft he has chosen to learn. I was pleasantly surprised I didn't know what to expect. So I was surprised that I found it very interesting. We met some very talented people and learned more about this craft. Many hours of work had gone into the handcrafting most of the knives we viewed. Each so different from the last one, from the shape of the blades to the handles. Each one a master piece in it own right. I suppose this craft just like quilting and other crafts came about for the need to have every day items to survive. I'm glad to see there is still some people out there that want to learn these crafts it would be a shame to lose this craft. We have already lost some much knowledge over the generations.

The other event I visited was the Craft & Quilt Fair on Thursday with some good friends and we had a ball. It is so different just being a visitor than trading. It gave me a good chance to look around and see what other talented crafters are doing. Something you don't get much of chance to do when you are trading. I was looking for some projects to improve my skills and knowledge, for new gadgets and tools to make all our lives easier. There is so much I want to try and master I don't know where I am going to find the time but I will try. I will share my adventures as they happen good or bad. SA Festival of Quilts was a delight to visit, so much inspiration on display. So many talented quilters sharing their work with us. Maybe one day I will be brave enough to enter one of my quilts.

A new shipment of batik fabrics arrived on Monday so I have loaded them on the shop www.cynthiasark.com.au They will be $21.00 a metre but until Monday they are on special for $16.00 a metre as part of our We are Not at the Craft & Quilt Fair sale. With patterns discounted and a range of fabrics on sale from $5.00 a metre what else could you want. The new batiks are featured on the home page so they are easy to find.
The new batiks fabrics.
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Berry Jam

Blue Spotty Circles

Garden Mess

Jungle Tides

Sky Tides Green
River Pond Star Flower
Water and Earth Jungle Screams

Finally I did get a little sewing done this week and I finished Dottie, my version of The Rivendale Collection Dottie Table runner. I hand quilted this one. Good practise.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

November is here. So the festive season is just around the corner. Have you started your preparation for it? I have managed to plan some Christmas inspired projects. I have chosen star ornaments, Christmas themed pin cushions and my 3am brain storm this morning was some quilted Christmas cards. I will share some pictures once I have picked out some fabric and start sewing.
In the meantime let me share with everyone my table runner I am putting together as a shop sample featuring The Rivendale Collection Dottie Table runner pattern which is available at www.cynthiasark.com.au

As you can see it's not quite finished yet. If I get some time later today I will try to finish it. I don't do a lot of applique but this project isn't too hard so I jump in with my chosen colour selection (Nature's Basket Charm square pack by Blackbird Design) and some blue and brown fabric for the borders from my stash. (Blueberry Crumbcake - Blackbird Design). I will share the finished table runner later this week and you will be able to see it up close and in person if you attend the Barossa Craft Fair & Market 23rd November at the Tanunda Showground 9.30am-3.30pm. It is one of our favourite events of the year with over 50 stalls, food, entertainment and more on offer. If you are interesting in coming email your postal address and I will post out a leaflet with all the details plus a special Cynthia's Ark voucher to use on the day. email sales@cynthiasark.com.au

Speaking of craft fairs I am not trading at the Craft & Quilt Fair this year. I am giving it a miss this year after trading the last 2 years due to finance cost of the event and I had lots of complaints after last year event from my customers not being able to get to my stall as I was sandwich between 2 larger stalls. So I am going to do some more research and see if I can find a solution to some of my problems. We do enjoy meeting our customers in person at these events and letting the customers see what we have, new products, and everyone favourite the specials we like to share. So stay tuned for the research results. I know if I keep my eyes open a solution will present itself.

Lastly to finish up today post don't forget to buy the November Homespun magazine this month to see what special offer we have running for all Homespun readers.